One advantage of RVing is seeking varied destinations. That includes campgrounds. When it comes time to spend a night, a weekend, or an extended period in one place, where does one go? See how several readers answered this month’s question:
What type of campground do you prefer (RV resort, commercial campground, national or state park, U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management, etc.)? Please share why.
Since I retired seven years ago, we have traveled for three months yearly all over the United States, looking to fill our “sticker map” and enjoy the diversity and uniqueness of each state. We prefer simple, woody, and spacious (not crowded) campgrounds. We don’t look for amenities within them, as we use them only as a base camp to relax after visiting the area in our towed car. We trace a route and then, because we have a limited budget, look for the best campgrounds in this order: (1) Corps of Engineers; (2) national parks; (3) state parks; (4) Passport America properties; (5) small, private campgrounds; and (6) KOA campgrounds. We also take into account the days we can do overnight stops at Walmart to replenish the pantry and/or go without full hookups.
Jocelynn Wirshing-Power & Oscar E. Power, F380074
Gainesville, Florida
We’ve stayed at more than 300 campgrounds in our motorhomes. This is our priority: (1) Army Corps of Engineers; (2) Florida state parks; (3) national parks; (4) other state parks; (5) U.S. Forest Service/Bureau of Land Management; (6) military bases; (7) city/county/municipal facilities; (8) county/state fairgrounds; (9) Moose lodges; (10) RV resorts; (11) commercial campgrounds; (12) Walmart.
We are more into scenery, nature, and elbowroom than we are into amenities. Numbers 1 through 5 fit that bill nicely. We also like campfires. You usually can’t have that at numbers 6 through 11, and you sure can’t at number 12. Waterfront is nice, and that’s most likely at number 1. Price also is a factor. Numbers 1 and 3 are your best bets if you have something like a Golden Access pass, while number 2 is also good if you’re a Florida resident. Of course, it’s hard to beat the prices at number 12.
Chris Christensen, F420774
Fort Myers Beach, Florida
We have an eclectic mix of preferences when it comes to campgrounds. We absolutely love a camp resort located near Silver Springs, Florida. Wilderness RV Resort is right in the middle of the Ocala National Forest and is bordered by the Ocklawaha River on its western side. It has full hookups and all sorts of amenities, plus the natural surrounding beauty . . . ahhhhh!
We also enjoy state parks, from Florida all the way to Colorado (and just about every state in between).
Our favorite campground in the national parks system is Wilderness Road Campground in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. We are a bit prejudiced, since we spent two summers volunteering there!
We enjoy the natural beauty found in so many areas in this great land of ours. God bless the U.S.A.!
Elaine Overby, F447845
St. Augustine, Florida
NOTE: Starting with the May 2018 issue, we will be including readers’ favorite travel photos in this space. We need your help! Please send us your photos (high-resolution digital images) and a brief explanation, including where each photo was taken. While we won’t be able to publish all that we receive, if your photo is chosen for inclusion, you’ll receive a check for $35 in appreciation.
Thanks to the many readers who have contributed their thoughts, stories, and suggestions to this column over the years.